Spew

Rock the Books tonight

ADAM MCKINNEY: TWO EXCELLENT BANDS ENTER THE LIBRARY >>>

There’s something undeniably attractive about getting away with inappropriate acts. Instead of satisfying this itch by indulging in murder or white-collar crime, howsabout you just be loud in a library?

OK, but really loud.

Tonight, the Makeup Monsters will bring their brand of punkish indie pop to the first installment of the Tacoma Public Library’s Rock the Books summer concert series. Hordes of hipsters and hipster-sympathizers will pack a small room at the Main Downtown Library and watch as James Hilborne & the Painkillers — the eerie calm before the storm — open for the Makeup Monsters and the inevitable sonic destruction of the Dewey Decimal System.

It’s all ages, free, and an opportunity for a light rebellion.

What more could you ask for?

[Tacoma Public Library Main Branch, Makeup Monsters, James Hilborne & the Painkillers, Saturday, July 11, 7 p.m., all ages, no cover, 1102 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma, 253.591.5666]

Blues — all morning, all night

PAUL SCHRAG: TACOMA OLD TOWN BLUES FESTIVAL >>>

We love blues in Old Town, where average incomes are still high enough to make listening to the blues sting just a little bit less. The Tacoma Old Town Blues Festival will be in full effect today celebrating its 17th year as the place to satisfy your jones for blue notes and foot stomping surprises.

This year’s lineup includes Little Bill and the Blue Notes, Jerry Miller Band, DK Stewart, The High Rollers, Blues Redemption, Scooch Cugno’s Delta 88 Revivial, the Big Nasty, Al Earick Band, Sour Owl, and Chris Stevens and the Surf Monkeys with special guest Jay Mabin, Double Cookin, Michael Miller Band and others.

As part of the Tacoma Old Town Blues Fest a blueberry pancake breakfast will be served from 9 a.m. to noon in the Slavonian Hall (2306 N. 30th St.) for $6. Double Cookin will perform.

The net proceeds of the Tacoma Old Town Blues Festival will benefit the Breast Cancer Awareness Center, so go. 

[Old Town Tacoma venues, 9:30 a.m. Bluesberry Pancake Breakfast featuring Double Cookin in the  Slavonian Hall, noon to 7 p.m. outdoor stage at Old Town Park (no cover), 12:15 and 4 p.m. Mountaineers Legends Stage, 8 p.m. evening shows in four venues, $5 shows, $20 all-day pass, North 30th and McCarver, Old Town Tacoma]

Nosh Pit: Free Slurpee, bluesberry breakfast, and more

JAKE DE PAUL: SATURDAY FOOD LINKS >>>

Proctor Farmers Market: Today’s new vendors include Fox Island Lavender, Martin Family Orchards and Vanilla Bean coffee.

It’s 7-11!: 7-Eleven planning to give away close to 5 million free 7.11-ounce Slurpee drinks today to celebrate its 82nd birthday at more than 6,000 stores in the U.S. and Canada.

Dough!: Nestle reopens plant after cookie dough recall; inspectors say they may never know what caused salmonella outbreak.

Today’s South Sound Specials

As part of the Tacoma Old Town Blues Fest a bluesberry pancake breakfast will be served from 9 a.m. to noon, in the Slavonian Hall (2306 N. 30th St.) for $6. Double Cookin will perform.

Azarra Salon & Wine in Tacoma welcomes the Elysian Brewing Company into its tasting room from noon to 3 p.m.

Dockside Bistro & Wine Bar in Olympia will be pouring six wines for you to taste from 2-5 p.m. for $6.

99 Bottles in Federal Way celebrates Deschutes Brewery's 21st anniversary from 2-5 p.m. with six Deschutes beers for $1.

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

5 Things To Do: Saturday

MICHAEL SWAN: SATURDAY, JULY 11, 2009 >>>

1. “Come out, come out wherever you are!” (heh, heh) and head on down to Out in the Park, Tacoma’s lesbian/gay/bi-/trans pride festival from noon to 6 p.m. in Wright Park.

2. Meet the artists whose works grace Percival Landing at the free Waterfront Public Art Tour at 11 a.m. The tour leaves from the bell in front of the Olympia Farmers Market, near the traffic.

3. Guitarist Mary Win will bring your attitude to a chill as you kick back with a glass of red wine at 7 p.m. inside the Mandolin Café.

4. Theater Artists Olympia director Chris Cantrell has taken the timeless story of star-crossed lovers in a different direction that just seems to fit the current times: Romeo and Juliet are both dudes. Check it out at 8 p.m. inside the Minnaert Center.

5. The Varsity Grill celebrates its three-year anniversary at 6 p.m. with food, drinks, prizes and the kick off its new dueling piano show at 8 p.m., which will be held Thursday through Saturday.

LINK: Live music and DJs in the South Sound

LINK: Local movie starting times

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

A few dining suggestions

JAKE DE PAUL: A FEW RECENT RESTAURANT REVIEWS >>>

I updated the South Sound Restaurant Guide this afternoon, adding a few restaurants that my brother and I visited recently. There are one or two that Jennifer Johnson contributed, too. Here are a few recently reviewed restaurants — capsulized:

AMICI ITALIAN EATERY
Italian American — pasta, fish and chips, wood fired pizza, salads, seafood and steaks. The baked cannelloni is done right. The lemon creme cake is a must. Full bar. 9807 224th St. E., Suite 100, Graham, 253.847.1500

BRIX 25
We loved the fact that when we sat down at our table the staff brought us a complimentary half-glass of sparkling wine.  As the name hints, the wine is always on their mind. They have won wine awards for their Northwest-centric wine and food. Recommended dishes: sausage-stuffed ravioli, rack of lamb, specialties of wild salmon and Alaskan halibut and "Brix Signature Boeuf Bourguignon" delicious short ribs that are slow-braised with cipollini, crimini mushrooms, carrots, and smoked bacon served in a rich Burgundy sauce. 7707 Pioneer Way, Gig Harbor, 253.85

ENOTECA
We adore Enoteca wine bar. It’s an ideal place to linger with old friends. Bill Bonnie opened this wine-and-cheese treasure in January 2006, next to his Tacoma Wine Merchants store. Enoteca is a tiny, intimate joint. Be careful walking into this long, narrow space — the door barely misses the best table in the house.  Low lighting has the effect of making the snug room feel even smaller. Enoteca offers grilled paninis, sandwiches, fresh salads, cheese, fruit and meat plates, soups and dessert. The three-ounce samples of three cheeses mixed with house herbed olives, pickles, grapes and bread runs $12 or $7.50 for a half order. If Taleggio cheese is on the cheese board, buy it. Smoked salmon plate ($8), brushetta with tomato and goat cheese ($6), walnut and pear salad ($8), and muffaletta sandwich ($8) are winners, too. 21 N. Tacoma Ave., Tacoma, 253.779.8258.

Hey bartender! Have you heard? ...

MICHAEL SWAN: TODAY'S HAPPY HOUR DISCUSSION TOPIC >>>




LINK: South Sound happy hours

17th and Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, July 10

Friday Music Link Dump

WEEKLY VOLCANO: PEARL JAM TOUR, NEW KISS SONGS >>>

Pearl Jam: They have announced a handful of North American shows behind their new album, Backspacer, out Sept. 20.

Pay Up: A city council member has called on AEG Live to pay some of the estimated $1.4 million cost for policing Michael Jackson's memorial service at the Staples Center.

New Rule: The European Union needs new rules for Internet downloads that would make it easier for people to access music and films without resorting to piracy, the bloc's telecoms chief said.

“Russian Roulette”: Kiss announced song titles for new album, which will be released this autumn.

LINK: Concert Alert

LINK: Live music and DJs tonight in the South Sound

Morning Spew

NEWS TEAM: GOOD MORNING SOUTH SOUND >>>

Warrior Forge: ROTC cadet dies at Fort Lewis.

Remember Swine Flu?: U.S. plans to vaccinate millions of children this fall.

Transformers 3: G.M. emerges from bankruptcy to become the government-backed “new” G.M.

Democrats: They want health care reform, but they don’t know how to pay for it.

Sort Of Good News: Trade deficit in U.S. narrowed in May as exports rose.

Holy Shit!: Ireland has outlawed blasphemy, with fines.

It's Not Slang!: Nevada court permits “HOE” license.

Bead it

SUZY STUMP: PUGET SOUND BEAD FESTIVAL >>>

There is no way in hell you’re going to the Bellevue Bead Festival in November because you are boycotting those bluegrass-stealing bastards.

So now you’re going to go to the Puget Sound Bead Festival at Hotel Murano today through Sunday, just like you’re going to do all that other stuff you can do now that American Idol and Michael Jackson are over. You’re going to the Bead Festival, and you’re going to have the choice of buying gems or beads or silver or minerals or crystals or just saying, the hell with it, and buying some fine jewelry, which you know you’ve wanted to do all along anyway. Haven’t you?

[Hotel Murano Bicentennial Pavilion, July 10-12, 1320 Broadway Plaza, Tacoma]

Nosh Pit: Summer Lunch Series and more

JAKE DE PAUL: FRIDAY FOOD LINKS >>>

Summer Lunch Series: Tacoma Chamber lures folks into Tollefson Plaza with grub from Pacific Grill, Upper Crust Pizza and Mad Hat Tea Company.

Outdoor Barbecue: Chef Charlie McManus will be grilling in front of his Crown Bar tonight.

West Coast Represent: Best ice cream shops according to Food & Wine.

Today’s South Sound Special

Every Friday from noon to 1 p.m., Museum of Glass visitors can chow down on a pre-ordered boxed lunch from Gallucci's Catering while watching a featured artist in action in the Hot Shop.

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

Rapping the open range

MARK THOMAS DEMING: SANDMAN THE RAPPIN’ COWBOY IS THE REAL DEAL >>>

His name is Chris Sand. He grew up in Ronan, Montana on the Flathead Reservation.  He now lives in a house in Dunn Center that he bought for $1,000.  He’s a truck driver when he has work, which he currently does not.  He has a bulging disc in his back from a lifetime on the farm.  He’s also one of the most original and inventive musicians anywhere.  He’s a cowboy who raps. Read the full interview here.

Move on down to Bob’s Java Jive tonight night and catch his show.

[Bob’s Java Jive, with Glass Elevator, Jesus Chords, Friday, July 10, 8 p.m., 2102 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253.475.9843]

Photo: Emily Nash

5 Things To Do: Friday

MICHAEL SWAN: FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2009 >>>

1. The McCleary Bear and Second Growth festival began in 1958 as a fun way of regulating the pesky bear population.  Today, the tradition remains as alive as it is strange, serving bear stew and electing a royal court, to around 12,000 people.

2. Metro Parks’ Play Tacoma Family Carnival brings its carnival games, inflatables, pony rides, hands-on activities and an interactive show featuring Let’s Pretend Circus to Wright Park from 5-8 p.m.

3. Jazz guitarist Ed Taylor will perform inside C.I. Shenanigan’s from 7-9 p.m.

4. Distinguished writers, poets, playwrights, short story writers, and people who scribble on cocktail napkins will step up to the mic from 7-9 p.m. as part of the Distinguished Writer Series and Open Mic at King’s Books.

5. Open Choir Fire performs a CD Release Show with Bayonet and Elder Mason at 9 p.m. inside The New Frontier Lounge.

LINK: Live music and DJs in the South Sound

LINK: Local movie starting times

LINK: South Sound Restaurant Guide

Friday film openings

MICHAEL SWAN: ON THE BIG SCREEN TOMORROW >>>

"Close the pod bay door, Gerty."

MOON: Sam Rockwell plays a man serving the end of a three-year tour of duty on a lonely mining outpost on the far side of the moon.  What kind of a man would volunteer for such duty?  What kind of a corporation would ask him to?  We find out. The Grand Cinema hosts this superior science fiction film.

Also opening tomorrow: Bruno and I Love You Beth Cooper

Discover what the hell these films are about and when they screen here.

Hey bartender! Have you heard? ...

MICHAEL SWAN: TODAY'S HAPPY HOUR DISCUSSION TOPIC >>>



LINK: South Sound happy hours